Cardinals Pitch First Shutout of 2026, Blank St. Michael's 5-0 in DH Opener
Fort Worth Christian defeated St. Michaels 5-0. Sat · Feb 7, 2026
Fort Worth Christian Cardinals baseball · 2026 season.
Fort Worth Christian extended their perfect start to the 2026 season with a dominant 5-0 shutout victory over St. Michael's in the first half of Saturday's tournament doubleheader. After grinding out consecutive one-run wins to open the campaign, the Cardinals flexed their muscles on both sides of the diamond, overpowering the opposition to improve to 3-0 on their home turf.
The Cardinals' offense clicked into gear with timely hitting and consistent pressure. Andrew Ridgell helped ignite the scoring when he ripped a ground ball single to the right side, bringing home Jake Parkerson and moving Antonio Andujar into scoring position. Parkerson proved to be a reliable catalyst all afternoon, continuously getting on base with solid contact, including a sharp line-drive single up the middle.
Jacob Ward delivered the heaviest blows of the afternoon for the FWC lineup. Coming through in the clutch, Ward laced a pivotal two-RBI single to push the Cardinal lead to 3-0. He continued to keep the defense on its heels later in the game, putting a hard grounder in play that forced a St. Michael's error, allowing Jaxon Casselberry to cross the plate and further pad the advantage.
FWC's pitching and defense were impenetrable, tossing their first shutout of the young season to secure the 5-0 victory. The Cardinals will barely have time to celebrate as they turn right back around to face Liberty Christian in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader, looking to keep their flawless record intact.
Top plays
- Bottom of 2nd, 1 out — Jake Parkerson singles on a line drive to right fielder R Bautch.
- Bottom of 2nd, 1 out — Antonio Andujar singles on a line drive to right fielder R Bautch, Jake Parkerson advances to 3rd.
- Bottom of 2nd, 1 out — Andrew Ridgell singles on a ground ball to right fielder R Bautch, Jake Parkerson scores, Antonio Andujar advances to 2nd.
- Bottom of 2nd, 1 out — Jacob Ward singles on a line drive to center fielder C Greff, Andrew Ridgell scores, Hunter Hampton advances to 3rd, Antonio Andujar scores.
- Top of 3rd, 0 out — L Connell walks, Blayne MacDonald pitching.
- Bottom of 3rd, 2 out — Jacob Ward hits a hard ground ball and reaches on an error by shortstop J Garcia, Jaxon Casselberry scores, Antonio Andujar advances to 3rd, Andrew Ridgell advances to 2nd.
- Top of 5th, 1 out — C Greff doubles on a line drive to left fielder Jacob Ward.
- Bottom of 5th, 0 out — Jake Parkerson singles on a line drive to center fielder C Greff.